Some 22,500 fans packed into the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium on Wednesday for a night of high drama as Deportivo Saprissa drew 1-1 with Pachuca of Mexico in an enthralling first leg of the final of the 2008 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

The result means that the second leg, which will be held April 30 at the Hidalgo Stadium in Pachuca, Mexico, will be a winner-takes-all encounter, with a spot at the FIFA Club World Cup later this year at stake.

Despite the intimidating noise generated by the home fans, Pachuca quickly settled into the game. However, although the Mexicans looked composed on the ball, they failed to create many clear-cut chances and rarely tested Keilor Navas in the Saprissa goal.

“El Monstruo,” by contrast, looked more committed but less controlled than their opponents. However, they were creating opportunities and were unlucky not to take the lead just before half-time when Armando Alonso's header hit the woodwork.

With the tie at 0-0 at half time, Saprissa needed to maintain their focus in the second period. The home fans were stunned, therefore, when, less than two minutes after the restart, a Pachuca counter-attack split the defense on the edge of the area, allowing Luis Gabriel Rey to fire home from 15 yards.

Stung by the goal, “Los Morados” redoubled their efforts and continued to pile forward. Their desperate determination eventually paid off, however, as the appropriately scrappy equalizer finally came with a minute left of normal time, captain Victor Cordero toe-poking home in a goalmouth scramble.

Saprissa coach Jeaustin Campos was philosophical after the game. “I think we needed to be more confident on the ball… We lacked composure in the final third. It is not quite the result we wanted, but everything is still to play for.”